Process of opening and preparing artificial-staple fibers



Patented Apr. 1, 1931 1,799,399

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mnmnan r. THOMA, or rxrcnnono, massncnusnrrs raocnss or ornnmo AND PREPARING ABTIFlICIAL-STAPLE mm 10 Drawing. Application filed December 27, 1920. Serial No. 157,421.

'This invention relates to processes for preto the fiber such as pinol, and an agent for paring artificial staple fibers for spinning, improving the feel of the fiber such as oil and is concerned more particularly with a soap flakes. y procedure for opening up masses of fibers of A preferred mixture for one hundred gal- 18 artificial silk or the like,-cut up in the form lons of water contains 3 gallons of glycerine, 55

of so-called artificial staple fibersk-and 1 gallon of caustic soda solution of 1% subjecting the fibers to such chemical and strength, A; gallon of soft soap, gallonof physical treatments as to leave them in the pinol and from to 5 gallons, preferably form of a soft fiber material with a structure about 1 gallon of oil soap flakes. The artisimilar to cotton, and especially to preserve ficial staple fibers are soaked in it for a con- 60 and heighten the luster, soften the fiber, siderable period at a moderate warm temcrinkle it, leave the proper amount of moisperature.

: ture in it and give it the proper feel. When fully treated they are taken out and Artificial silk fibers,--cut in the form of sodried. After drying, the fibers will be found called artificial staple fibers,-as produced separated and in a fine soft condition with a 65 cannot be spun or otherwise worked up into silk luster and crinkly in form so that they textile materials, because the fibers form recan be spun. sistant masses of a harsh character, the in- By the term soft soap I understand a dividual fibers adhering to each other. The kind of soap known also under the name fibers being perfectly straight, it would be green soap which is made from linseed oil 70 difficult to spin them even if they could be and potassium hydroxide being a yellowishseparated from each other. green, slippery, soft mass soluble in hot wa- An object of the present invention is to proter and hot alcohol. An oil soap is a soap vide a process for preparing such fibers for made of olive oil and sodium carbonate spinning, so as to be able to produce, from known as castile or Marseilles soaps.

the spun product, a fabric of a very soft and The two kinds of soap are not used for pliable character which is not easily distincleaning purposes as the staple fibers are reguished from silk, and has good wearing ceived in a clean condition and are still very qualities. clean when this process is applied to them.

It is another object of the invention to pro- The soft soap is emulsified with the glycerine 80 vide a unitary bath treatment for masses of and thickens the liquor so that it will hold artificial staple fiber which will at once acthe fibers together. The oil soap contains complish all of the above mentioned results a trace of sulfuric acid and gives life and a and will leave'the fiber, when brought out silky feel to the fiber. The glycerine is used and dried, in proper condition as explained. for softening the fiber. The caustic soda or 85 In general, the process according to the soda ash is used to produce a crinkling of each present invention comprises the essential fiber when finally dried. The pinol gives operation of treating the before-mentioned luster and humidification, that is, it holds masses of these staple fibers as they are some water in the fiber even when dried by shipped from artificial silk producing plants the ordinary processes. The acid improves in a bath which will convert these harsh the feel of the fiber and the fabric produced masses of fibers into fibers not adhering to therefrom. each other but having characteristics making In place of the above substances I can use them adapted for use in spinning which for softening: Monopol oil, Monopol 5 characteristics are comparable with those of Brilliant oil, sulfonated castor oil, sulcotton or other textile raw material. fonated tallow, sulfonated olive oil, oleic For this purpose I make use of an aqueous acid, tetrapole, Verapole or trichlorebath containing a softening ingredient such thane. To effect the luster I may .use:

as glycerine, a crinkling agent such as caustic Enodrine, Perkentol, Isomerpine glusoda, an agent for imparting hygroscopicity cose, or glycerine. To improve the hygroscopicity of the fibers there may be used: magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, glucose, mono-acetic acid ester or glycerine. Acetic acid or formic acid may be used to improve the feel of the goods.

It will be seen, therefore, that by the use of the substances which are specified as preferable, I secure the several results indicated above. It Will also be seen that the several equivalents mentioned indicate the classes of compounds which can be used in the place of the preferred ones mentioned. It is to be un-v derstood alsothat in some cases the exact number of ingredients is not required. Although I have described various equivalents ofthe compounds to be used, I am aware of the fact that further modifications can be made in the process without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the exact ingredients specified, except as expressed in the claims, but What I do claim 1. The process of preparing artificial silk fiber for spinning which consists in treating the fiber at a moderately warm temperature in a bath of water containing an oil soap having a trace of sulfuric acid therein, glycerine, caustic soda and pinol.

2. The process of preparing artificial silk fiber for spinnin which consists in treating the fiber at a mo erately Warm temperature in a bath of Water containing for about gallons of Water about 3 gallons of glycerine, about 1 gallon of caustic soda solution of 1% strength, to 1 gallon of pinol and to 5 gallons of oil soap flakes containing a trace of sulfuric acid therein.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

MEINRAD F. THOMA. 

